​K-9 Officer Odin laid to rest

Law enforcement officers from Troutman and surrounding agencies gathered on Monday afternoon to lay K-9 Officer Odin to rest beside the Joel Ray Mashburn Fitness Trail behind the Town Hall, which lowered its flags to half-staff just before the service.

Odin’s ashes were escorted by dozens of police vehicles and motorcycles, lights flashing, from the Pet Pilgrimage facility in Mooresville. The procession passed under a huge American flag draped across Eastway Drive, hung from a fire engine ladder by Troutman Volunteer Fire Department members to honor their deceased comrade.

Fellow officers from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Highway Patrol, and Troutman, Mooresville and Statesville Police Departments stood in two rows flanking the pet hearse as Odin’s ashes, a folded flag that had draped Odin’s body after his death, and Odin’s blanket were presented to Odin’s handlers, Officers Chris Atwood and Rusty Jones, by the Pet Pilgrimage staff.

Troutman Police Chief Matthew Selves led the service, reading from “I Am A Police Dog,” which emphasized Odin’s loyalty and hard work, and “Grieve Not For Me.”

Town Manager Justin Longino also presented a plaque that will be placed in Town Hall in Odin’s memory entitled “K-9 Prayer,” along with the folded flag.

After the ceremony, Odin’s ashes were placed in a small grave, with Officers Atwood and Jones kneeling to say goodbye and placing a handful of earth on his remains. Selves and other K-9 officers also filed past to pay respects to Odin.

After the ceremony, Atwood and Jones accepted condolences from officers, citizens, town staff and Town Council members Sally Williams, Paul Henkel, and Paul Bryant. Representatives from Lake Norman Humane animal rescue were also on hand to honor the K-9 officer’s passing.

“Grieve Not For Me”

Author - Unknown

GRIEVE NOT FOR ME FOR IT HAS BEEN ORDAINED, THAT MY JOURNEY HERE BE SHORT. GRIEVE NOT FOR ME FOR MY LOYAL PRESENCE WILL EVER REMAIN IN YOUR HEART. I WAS SENT TO BE A GUARDIAN FOR THE GUARDIANS OF LAW IN BLUE A FEARLESS, NOBLE PROTECTOR WITH A BOND THAT FEW CAN CONSTRUE. WITH CHARACTER UNSHAKABLE, AND SENSES THAT ARE WELL HEIGHTENED, I WAS SENT TO BE A DEFENDER, SO THAT YOUR BURDEN HERE WOULD BE LIGHTENED, GRIEVE NOT FOR ME FOR IN HEAVENLY BLUE OUR REUNION DAY WILL COME. GRIEVE NOT FOR ME FOR AS PARTNERS AGAIN, WE WILL DEFEND A GREATER KINGDOM.